106 



EDZAK 

 DESCRIPTION. 



C XXXIX. E. Gunnii Hook. f. 



In Lond. Journ. Bot. iii, 499 (1844). 



Ramulis junioribus fioribusque glaucis, foliis altemis petiolatis laneeolatis v. elliptico seuoblongo- 

 lanceolatis rarius ovato-oblongis magis minusve acutis acuminatis v. mucronatis utrinque opacis vetiis 

 obscuris, petiolis folio subquadruplo brevioribus, pedunculis solitariis axillaribus teretibus trifloris petiolo 

 aub brevioribus, cupulis turbinatis breviter pedicellatis pedunculi longitudine. operculis hemisphaericLS 

 cupula? dimidii longitudine sed latioribus, mucrone valido basi lato terminatis, fructibus latioribus elliptico- 

 turbinatis ore paulo contracto valvis 3-4 interdum porrectis. 



Hab. On the elevated tablelands of the interior of Tasmania, especially in the neighbourhood of 

 the lakes (Gunn. No. 1084, 1080, 1082). 



As is the case with other species of this most difficult genus, no dependence can be placed on the 

 size of any of the parts or on the form of the leaves. The branchlets are slender, terete, nearly smooth, 

 the younger very glaucous. The leaves, which seldom exceed two inches in length, vary between linear - 

 laueeolate and oblong, but are sometimes broadly ovate, with a mucro ; these broader leaves frequently 

 terminate the branches. The peduncles are generally axillary, sometimes lateral, but always solitary, 

 and never more than three-flowered, from 2-4 lines long, stout and patent. Cupula exactly turbinate, 

 sessile or generally shortly pedicellate, 1J-2J lines long, covered with fine glaucous bloom. Operculum 

 less than half the length of the cupula, hemisphserical. tapering on the very summit into a short, stout, 

 erect mucro. Stamens bright yellow. Fruit elliptical, turbinate, broad at the base, 2-3 lines long, about 

 two-thirds broad or ratter more, mouth slightly contracted. (op. cit.) 



It is most usually known as " Cider Gum " for the reason explained below 

 p. 107. It is also known as " Swamp Gum " because it occurs in swampy places at 

 high elevations. 



Hooker later describes it in his " Flora of Tasmania " (" Botany of the Antarctic 

 Voyage ") 1. 134 (with t. 27) in the following words : — 



Eucalyptus Gunnii (Hook. fil. Lond. Journ. Bot. iii, 499) : arbor parva. ramulis fioribusque glaucis, 

 foliis alternis petiolatis ellipticis ovatis oblongis lanceolatisve acutis acuminatis mueronatisve. pedunculis 

 3-floris petiolo suba?quilongis. calyeibus turbinatis breviter pedicellatis. operculo latiusculo conico acuto 

 calyce subbreviore, capsula. obovato-oblonga ore non incrassato. valvis immersis. (Gunn. 1080, 1082, 

 1084, 1963.) (Tab. xxvii.) 



Hab. Abundant in alpine districts, elev. 3-4.000 feet, often forming small forests in marshy place3, 

 &c. Gunn, &o. — (Fl. Nov.) (v.v.) (Cider-tree). 



Distrib. Alps of South-western Australia. Mueller. 



A very common but singularly variable small tree, 20-30 feet high, sparingly, irregularly branched, 

 with smooth bark and glaucous foliage, becoming shining in old plants. Sometimes, however, solitary 

 trees may be found of much greater size, and so like E. viminalis that without fruit it is difficult to' 

 distinguish it from an alpine form of that species. Leaves seldom above 2 inches long, of all shapes, from 

 oblong or almost orbicular to narrow-lanceolate, petioled, very coriaceous. Peduncles about as long as the 

 petioles, three-flowered. Calyx obconic, sessile or shortly pedicelled, sometimes obscurely constricted 



